Got a Race Coming Up? Here’s What to Order (and When)
Whether you’re organising a triathlon, a local 10K, a chilly open water swim or a mud-soaked OCR, getting your athlete ID sorted should never be the stressful part. With the right kit (and the right timing) you can make sure everyone knows where they’re going, who’s who, and which wave they’re in, without a single printer meltdown the night before.
This guide covers exactly what to order and when, with quick links to our free downloadable checklists and how-to blogs, so you can keep your event slick and stress-free.
Triathlon
Triathlons need full coverage – literally. Our double or quad set number tattoos keep athletes identifiable from swim start to finish line. They’re fully customisable too, with options to add logos, wave colours, and sponsor branding to boost visibility on race day. These are the same tattoos used at major events like the World Triathlon Series, Super Tri, T100, Norseman and even the Olympics – so yes, they’ve been put through their paces.
Need more? We also offer tri-sets, bike boards and race bibs to cover all legs of the race.
New to organising a triathlon?
New to organising a triathlon? Check out our Ultimate Guide – it walks you through each step and includes a free race day checklist.
Running Events
From fun runs to marathons, our custom race bibs are a solid choice. Most organisers go for our pin-on bibs, but we also offer adhesive bibs for a cleaner, no-pins-required option – especially handy for kids’ races or OCRs.
All bibs are fully customisable with space for numbers, names, logos, sponsors and more. Plus, every bib includes a tear-off bag tag for added security. If you want to go beyond the basics, you can add temporary tattoos too – from sponsor logos to fun keepsake designs for runners to remember the day by.
We know the morning of a race can be chaotic (shaky hands and fiddly pins aren’t the best combo), so we’ve created a How to Apply a Race Bib guide (and even a video) to help runners feel ready before they set off.
First time organising a run?
Our Running Event Guide is made for you.
Open Water Swimming
Visibility is everything in open water. That’s where our swim sets come in – with two arm tattoos, two shoulder tattoos and two hand tattoos for maximum identification from every angle. You can also add swim cap tattoos for extra visibility in murky conditions, or wetsuit tattoos for chillier swims.
Everything’s designed to stick, stay visible, and survive whatever the water throws at it.
Are you organising your first Open Water event?
This blog is a great place to start!
Functional Fitness and OCR
These events are all about grit, sweat, and speed – which is why our adhesive race bibs and temporary tattoos are the go-to. No pins, no slipping bibs, no problem. Our adhesive bibs hold fast through burpees, tyre flips and rope climbs, and they’re fully customisable too.
And let’s be honest – once the shirts come off, so do traditional bibs. Tattoos solve that. Waterproof, durable and designed to last the entire event, they keep athletes identifiable from start to finish.
With functional fitness events like HYROX exploding in popularity, brands and sponsors want visibility too. Our logo tattoos are perfect for exposure on the competition floor and in every sweaty Instagram post after.
Never used tattoos or adhesive bibs before?
We’ve got a full How To Apply guide that covers everything.
Not Sure What You Need?
Juggling different distances, waves, or entry categories? We can help you figure it all out. We also offer collation and race pack services, so everything arrives neatly packed and ready to distribute – one less thing for you to stress about.
Our standard turnaround is 5 working days from artwork approval to despatch. Shipping is usually 1–3 days within Europe and 5 days elsewhere (max 7 days, even to the middle of nowhere!). So don’t leave it too late. Between artwork, proofing and delivery, race day comes round fast.
Get in touch!
We’ll help you get everything in place – without the last minute panic.
Download a free triathlon checklist below
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Products
At Sportstiks we have everything under one roof, giving us total control over the entire process of producing your products and providing a truly impressive race solution.
Our team are constantly researching and developing new innovative materials and techniques to provide race directors, event organisers and athletes with athlete ID solutions that suit their requirements. Give us a call and talk to our guys about your event, what you need and how Sportstiks can make a difference. We offer the full package. From simple race bibs for a local 5km fun run to fully bespoke, collated race packs for international elite athlete events, no event is too large or too small.